Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football: Chazz Surratt adds to long list of preseason honors

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Chazz Surratt #21 of the University of North Carolina reacts after making a tackle during a game between Clemson University and University of North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Chazz Surratt #21 of the University of North Carolina reacts after making a tackle during a game between Clemson University and University of North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

UNC football standout linebacker Chazz Surratt named to Bednarik Award watch list

North Carolina defensive standout Chazz Surratt has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, adding to the growing list of preseason accolades that the senior linebacker has seen come his way over the past couple of months.

Surratt was recently named a preseason first team All-American by Street & Smith’s, and an All-ACC first team selection by Athlon Sports. All three are prestigious in their own right, and are warranted after the type of season that Surratt had least year. The former backup quarterback, who transitioned from offense to defense after his sophomore season, performed as well as any linebacker in the country a year ago. He was subsequently named a 2019 first team All-ACC selection, and runner-up for the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

https://twitter.com/TarHeelFootball/status/1282693096288002051

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Surratt finished the season with 115 total tackles — 66 solo tackles and 49 assists — to go along with 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was the unquestioned leader of a UNC defense that improved substantially from a season ago, and looks to be even better this season in head coach Mack Brown’s second year back in Chapel Hill.

The Tar Heels will need a similar encore performance from Surratt in 2020 as they hope to capture an ACC Coastal Division title for the first time since 2015. They appear to be the overwhelming favorite to do so at this point — assuming the season even takes place — and much of that is thanks to the defensive prowess of Surratt. He’s currently projected as a first round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft according to ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr., who lists the rising senior as the No. 2 inside linebacker prospect in the draft.

Next. 4-star recruit and UNC target set to announce decision. dark

For all the latest on Chazz Surratt and the UNC football team, stick with Keeping It Heel.

Home/UNC Football